Identifying fraudulent pet cremations using visual and elemental analysis

Distinguishing between bone and non-bone material is the initial stage of forensic examination of suspect skeletal remains. This is particularly important, but more problematic, when examining disputed cremations. This forensic case study explores the application of visual, UV and elemental analysis of suspected cremated remains of pet animals. Visual analysis included sieving through the bulk for bone fragments, visual identification of bone morphology, color, texture and fragility, and reaction to UV fluorescence. Visual analysis showed that none of the 61 suspected cremations were comprised of uncontaminated bone powder. There were 19 closely resembling concrete recovered from the suspect premises, and 5 contained an assortment of marine sediment, bone-like fragments and human teeth mixed into the bulk of the suspected pet cremation. Foreign objects were present in four suspect cremations. Visual analysis was supplemented with elemental analysis with portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), which showed significant differences between the suspect and control cremations for: MgO, Al²O³, SiO², P, Cl, K²O, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn, Pb, and the Ca/P ratio. Control cremations could be clearly distinguished from all suspect cremations by the absence of SiO², a 1.8-4.3 % K²O content, and a 1.5-1.9% Ca/P ratio. Additionally, the Ca/P ratio of all non-bone samples clustered outside the ratio range for bone. Overall, none of the suspected cremations were comprised of uncontaminated cremated bone expected from legitimate commercial cremation practices.